Pushed by federal fuel efficiency requirements, automakers are working to sell more hybrids and electrics, but selling the former is a lot easier.

Hybrids tend to be less expensive than electrics, and have another key advantage: They don't run out of juice on the road. Drivers don't suffer range anxiety. They can fill their tank at any gas station and keep rolling.

Most first-time drivers are surprised by how much hybrids feel like conventional cars, Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and market analyst at Kelley Blue Book, told Business Insider. "A percentage have been convinced" to become owners.

Ford builds five hybrid models using the same powertrain, a common tactic to reduce development and production costs. Four of those cars have EPA ratings of more than 40 miles per gallon, although in Consumer Reports testing, the C-MAX and Fusion hybrids fell about 20% short of their promised 47 mpg marks.

While Toyota still leads in hybrid sales, Ford is gaining ground, it says. In April, it had 15.5% of US market share. More than 60% of Fusion and C-MAX hybrid sales are conquests — buyers who previously owned another brand — and most of those are from Toyota, according to Ford.